What are the ritual messages that are incorporated into marriage between Judaism and Christianity?
The basic meaning of a marriage is a commitment between two people. Judaism and Christianity are two different religions that incorporates unique ritual messages into marriage. To start off, Judaism teaches that every person was created by “b’tzelem Elohim,” which is Hebrew for “in the image of God.” In marriage, they believe that God has made a “silent partner” that subsidizes a relationship with dignity. On the other hand, Christians believe that there is only one God whom they call Father, and Jesus Christ as the son who was sent to save mankind from sin and death. In marriage, they believe that God has brought them together to expand their family and it should be witnessed in front of loves ones in church. With that being said, the two religions equally delivers the ritual messages when being married either before, during, or after the event.
“The groom smashes a glass (or a small symbolic piece of glass) with his right foot, to symbolize the destruction of the Temple. The couple then retires briefly to a completely private room, symbolic of the groom bringing the wife into his home.”
One of rituals that Judaism incorporated into marriage is when the groom smashes a glass. To may perspectives, it symbolizes the commitment of how a marriage is made. It starts off by talking about smashing a glass and how it symbolizes the destruction of the Temple. The meaning of smashing a glass with the groom’s right foot symbolizes marriage as a fragile compromise. Once the glass has been broken, there is no going back. Meaning, when objects in general are broken, originally it was held as one. Therefore, once the couple are legally together, they are forwarding their message as a promise; breaking the glass symbolizes that they are fully committed. Also, referring to the destruction of the Temple (destroyed in 70 C.E.), it is only possible to rebuild the building, although you can not exactly build it back to how it was originally stood. Therefore, the couple must think wisely about their decision before breaking the glass to symbolizes their promise and unity.
“Among some Jews, it is customary for the wedding couple to fast on their wedding day, which is a day of forgiveness, similar to Yom Kippur.”
Based on what this ritual is saying, a couple must fast on their wedding day to show respect of their religion- Judaism. Although this is a short quote, it has a lot of meaning to it and a more broader message that is hidden. From the meaning itself, fasting is a custom of refraining from eating and drinking that starts at early dawn and concludes at dark. As the quote says, it is is similar to Yom Kippur- Day of Atonement. It is a holiday that most Jews participate in and the meaning behind it is to cleanse themselves to a fresh start. With that being said, Jews fast on the day of their wedding to symbolize the prayers of their new beginnings and cleansing of their sins. Maybe it gives the couple a refreshing start and forgiveness of their sins as a whole.
“It is the right atmosphere to engage in sexual relations and to build a family life. Getting married in a church, in front of God, is very important.”
Church is the most common place for most couples to get married in. In christianity, it is ideally important because they believe that it should be witnessed in front of God, family, and friends. Although, the more broader idea of getting married in a church is to “engage in sexual relations and to build a family life”. Going off of the topic about building a family life, it is a ritual to discuss about the future of having a family and expanding their family tree because God is intentionally pairing the two for a reason. Conveying their vows in front of friends and family, especially God, inherits the reassurance that there will be future children and grandchildren. Therefore, getting married in a Church liberates the message of preparation and expectations in the future.
“They shower gifts on the bride and she offers them a pink cake with a hidden thimble. Whoever gets the piece with the thimble, is supposed to get married next.”
Bridal showers are self-explanatory. If some people may not know, a bridal shower is a gift giving party for the bride-to-be and typically the bride’s maid of honor and bridesmaids are to be involved. Traditionally, at any point into the shower, the bride will hand out an object with a hidden thimble in it and whoever gets the thimble, will be the next to get married. Although, in some Christian weddings when a bride throws her beautique of flowers over her head, the person who catches it will be the next to get married. (Many weddings has its own taste, but it still gives off the same meaning.) Either way, a typical Christian wedding will acknowledge the ritual that when the lucky person gets the prize, it sends the luck to another person. With that being said, although most people are commonly familiar with a Christian wedding some people are unfamiliar with the rituals and messages that are being brought across. Therefore, the rituals are to be passed onto the next marriage with luck.
To conclude, every religion has its own meaning and reasoning of doing a certain marriage ritual. It is important to respect other religions by their belief at any special event, or in general. It teaches not only one, but all religions the uniqueness of how messages are incorporated into people’s lives. Marriage is a perfect example when incorporating a religious ritual because everything is done for a reason. It shows the courtesy and dedication of which religion a person believes in; ideally, it is just respectful to friends, family, and the goddess. Judaism and Christianity are both different, although they share a common belief on God. With that being said, religion is a big aspect of when/how rituals are incorporated into marriage.
What are the ritual messages that are incorporated into marriage between Judaism and Christianity?
“The groom smashes a glass (or a small symbolic piece of glass) with his right foot, to symbolize the destruction of the Temple. The couple then retires briefly to a completely private room, symbolic of the groom bringing the wife into his home.”
One of rituals that Judaism incorporated into marriage is when the groom smashes a glass. To may perspectives, it symbolizes the commitment of how a marriage is made. It starts off by talking about smashing a glass and how it symbolizes the destruction of the Temple. The meaning of smashing a glass with the groom’s right foot symbolizes marriage as a fragile compromise. Once the glass has been broken, there is no going back. Meaning, when objects in general are broken, originally it was held as one. Therefore, once the couple are legally together, they are forwarding their message as a promise; breaking the glass symbolizes that they are fully committed. Also, referring to the destruction of the Temple (destroyed in 70 C.E.), it is only possible to rebuild the building, although you can not exactly build it back to how it was originally stood. Therefore, the couple must think wisely about their decision before breaking the glass to symbolizes their promise and unity.
“Among some Jews, it is customary for the wedding couple to fast on their wedding day, which is a day of forgiveness, similar to Yom Kippur.”
Based on what this ritual is saying, a couple must fast on their wedding day to show respect of their religion- Judaism. Although this is a short quote, it has a lot of meaning to it and a more broader message that is hidden. From the meaning itself, fasting is a custom of refraining from eating and drinking that starts at early dawn and concludes at dark. As the quote says, it is is similar to Yom Kippur- Day of Atonement. It is a holiday that most Jews participate in and the meaning behind it is to cleanse themselves to a fresh start. With that being said, Jews fast on the day of their wedding to symbolize the prayers of their new beginnings and cleansing of their sins. Maybe it gives the couple a refreshing start and forgiveness of their sins as a whole.
“It is the right atmosphere to engage in sexual relations and to build a family life. Getting married in a church, in front of God, is very important.”
Church is the most common place for most couples to get married in. In christianity, it is ideally important because they believe that it should be witnessed in front of God, family, and friends. Although, the more broader idea of getting married in a church is to “engage in sexual relations and to build a family life”. Going off of the topic about building a family life, it is a ritual to discuss about the future of having a family and expanding their family tree because God is intentionally pairing the two for a reason. Conveying their vows in front of friends and family, especially God, inherits the reassurance that there will be future children and grandchildren. Therefore, getting married in a Church liberates the message of preparation and expectations in the future.
“They shower gifts on the bride and she offers them a pink cake with a hidden thimble. Whoever gets the piece with the thimble, is supposed to get married next.”
Bridal showers are self-explanatory. If some people may not know, a bridal shower is a gift giving party for the bride-to-be and typically the bride’s maid of honor and bridesmaids are to be involved. Traditionally, at any point into the shower, the bride will hand out an object with a hidden thimble in it and whoever gets the thimble, will be the next to get married. Although, in some Christian weddings when a bride throws her beautique of flowers over her head, the person who catches it will be the next to get married. (Many weddings has its own taste, but it still gives off the same meaning.) Either way, a typical Christian wedding will acknowledge the ritual that when the lucky person gets the prize, it sends the luck to another person. With that being said, although most people are commonly familiar with a Christian wedding some people are unfamiliar with the rituals and messages that are being brought across. Therefore, the rituals are to be passed onto the next marriage with luck.
To conclude, every religion has its own meaning and reasoning of doing a certain marriage ritual. It is important to respect other religions by their belief at any special event, or in general. It teaches not only one, but all religions the uniqueness of how messages are incorporated into people’s lives. Marriage is a perfect example when incorporating a religious ritual because everything is done for a reason. It shows the courtesy and dedication of which religion a person believes in; ideally, it is just respectful to friends, family, and the goddess. Judaism and Christianity are both different, although they share a common belief on God. With that being said, religion is a big aspect of when/how rituals are incorporated into marriage.
Sources-
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/life/Relationships/Spouses_and_Partners/About_Marriage.shtml
http://www.christianity.org.uk/index.php/a-christian-view-of-marriage.php
http://www.jewfaq.org/marriage.ht
http://www.reformjudaism.org/jewish-rituals-wedding-day
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/ritesrituals/weddings_1.shtml
http://www.culturalindia.net/weddings/regional-weddings/christian-wedding.html